Florence County Council takes first step toward downtown parking deck

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By: Joshua Lloyd, Morning News

FLORENCE, S.C. – Another parking garage may be coming to downtown Florence, this time coming from the county.

On Thursday, the Florence County Council took its first official step toward placing a parking garage in downtown Florence — specifically in the parking lot adjacent to the county complex on Irby Street.

Officials have discussed the potential for a county-operated parking deck in that spot for years, and now the council has approved a motion to allow the county administration to search for architects and engineers for design options.

“We’re really just beginning the process, and this is the first piece of the puzzle,” said Willard Dorriety, vice chairman of the council. “We’ve realized some savings from the second capital projects sales tax that we can use toward it, and hopefully construct much of it without costing the taxpayers any more money.”

Dorriety provided no specifics on how many spaces could be involved, or the price range for a new deck.

“We can’t really give a price or details because we don’t know the details at this point,” he said. “But the consensus right now is to build right here beside the complex, since we already own the property and this is the place where it’s needed most.”

A second parking deck has been a point of contention for city and county officials, with each unwilling to compromise for a joint venture.

County officials have said a new deck needs to be adjacent to the complex, while city officials maintain that growth over the next five years will indicate where a deck is needed most.

The city-owned 320-space parking garage at the corner of Irby and Evans streets opened for free public use last November, and cost about $9 million.

Other business

The council unanimously approved a fee-in-lieu-of tax agreement with Ruiz Foods for a $79 million expansion that’s expected to create more than 700 jobs over the next decade.

That agreement means there will be a 6 percent tax on the development rather than the usual 10 percent. Such agreements are common to facilitate economic development within the county.

 The council also approved a resolution to fund some upgrades and replacement of the county’s antiquated technology systems. Members approved a general obligation bond of up to $500,000 for the upgrades.

Officials have said the IT system overhaul could take years to complete and could cost the county upward of $2 million.

The current system has three parts, each handling a different aspect of county tax and financing needs.

The underlying problem comes from a system that has been built upon for more than two decades by the same engineer, who is set to retire within two or three years.

The current software is fully integrated and performs county tasks as intended but is outdated and will no longer be sustainable after the engineer retires.

SCNow Web Article – Florence County Council takes first step toward downtown parking deck

B. Nance Fine Gifts ribbon cutting

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By: Jessica Imbimbo, Morning News

FLORENCE, S.C. – B. Nance Fine Gifts held a ribbon cutting Thursday morning after moving into its new, larger location at 1939 Hoffmeyer Road.

Ambassadors with the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce congratulated co-owners and mother-daughter duo Jill Blaker and Danielle Nance on their relocation. The retail store moved into the shopping plaza on May 1, just yards from the previous location. Nance said the move has been almost a year in the making, and she is thrilled to be settled into their new retail home.

 “It’s been a long time coming,” Nance said. “We were just waiting for this to be built while we were back there.”

B. Nance Fine Gifts offers a wide variety of products including tabletop items, cookware and glassware from high-quality brands. Gifts for any special occasion line the shelves at B. Nance, including birthdays, weddings, baby showers and more. The store also sells candles, jewelry, sunglasses and other items.

Nance said being able to open a retail business with her parents and husband combines her passion for retail and love for her family into one. Now after moving into their new space, Nance hopes she can offer Florence residents an enjoyable place to shop.

“We just saw an opportunity and saw a need in Florence,” Nance said. “We just have a fun space to host events and make it fun for our customers.”

SCNow Web Article – B. Nance Fine Gifts ribbon cutting

Thanks to the Chamber’s outgoing board members

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The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the following outgoing Chamber board members for their time and service to the organization – Dr. Fred Carter, Pete Mazzaroni, Robby Hill, Starlee Alexander, John Bankson and Kyle Baxter.

Ruiz Foods planning $79 million expansion in Florence County, creating 700 jobs

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By: Joshua Lloyd, Morning News

FLORENCE, S.C – A major economic development project that’s been called by the code name “Project Horseshoe” for months has been revealed as another Ruiz Foods expansion in Florence County.

That project involves a $79 million investment and an additional 700 new jobs, which would nearly triple its workforce in Florence.

Officials with Ruiz were not available to comment on the expansion on Monday afternoon, and details of what the expansion entails and when construction will start have not been revealed.

South Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers was the first to speak publically about the expansion that’s been under wraps for months.

“When they make the announcement, we’ll talk about helping supply them with South Carolina products as long as we can meet their quality standards,” he said Monday after speaking at the Florence Rotary Club. “It’s a great company.”

Ruiz Foods is on the Florence County Council’s June agenda, replacing the code name project.

“We’re very excited and pleased about their expansion,” said Ken Caudle, chairman of the council. “The final reading of fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreement in on the agenda for Thursday’s meeting and I am confident we will unanimously approve that agreement.”

The Florence County Council previously approved two readings of the fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreement for Project Horseshoe, meaning there will be a 6 percent tax on the development rather than the usual 10 percent.

In June 2014, Ruiz Foods announced the acquisition of the former H.J. Heinz facility in Florence. It said it would invest $55 million in an operation that eventually would bring more than 500 jobs to the Pee Dee. After renovating that facility, it began operation in January 2016.

Last year, construction of a large freezer distribution center brought the total square footage to 225,000 of the site inside Pee Dee Touchstone Energy City industrial park. Ruiz currently has $60 million invested in the Florence facility. According to Weathers, Ruiz employs 400 people in Florence.

 This new project comes after several major employers announced job-creating expansions of their operations in Florence County in the past year.

Honda of South Carolina announced a $45 million, 115,000-square-foot expansion; McCall Farms announced a $23 million investment; and General Electric announced a $40 million expansion.

Ruiz Foods started in 1964 as a family-owned business in California and has now grown to be the nation’s leading distributor of frozen Mexican food. Nationally, Ruiz operates three manufacturing plants that distribute El Monterey and Tornados food products.

The El Monterey brand includes retail products such as burritos, tamales and empanadas.

Morning News reporter Jessica Imbimbo contributed to this report.

SCNow Web Article – Ruiz Foods planning $79 million expansion in Florence County, creating 700 jobs

South State Bank holds After Hours event, celebrates downtown relocation in Florence

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By: Jessica Imbimbo, Morning News

FLORENCE, S.C. – South State Bank held a ribbon cutting and Business After Hours event Thursday evening celebrating the opening of its newest Florence location at 265 S. Irby St.

More than 50 people including bank employees, executives and ambassadors with the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce joined in the celebration. Guests enjoyed an evening of food, beverages and mingling with fellow business and community leaders inside South State Bank’s newly renovated building.

The two-story office building has been under construction for more than a year after being fully renovated inside and out. The branch was open to customers throughout the renovation process and now that the renewal is complete, South State Bank held a ribbon cutting courtesy of the chamber.

The opening is the result of the consolidation of South State Bank’s branches, according to Stephanie Rodriguez, assistant vice president and branch manager. The bank closed its location at 6200 West Palmetto and moved that branch into the Legacy Bank of America office at 265 S. Irby St.

Rodriguez said the move was beneficial not only to spread on the location of their three Florence branches but to also extend the reach of the bank into the downtown historic district.

“It means a lot to me to get consolidated into one but being downtown with the revitalization going on means a lot to us,” Rodriguez said. “It means a lot to me to work for a company that is interested in being so involved with the community. We’re excited to be in downtown Florence.”

SCNow Web Article – South State Bank holds After Hours event, celebrates downtown relocation in Florence

Leadership Florence Class of 2017 graduates

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By: Joshua Lloyd, Morning News

FLORENCE, S.C. – Leadership Florence is a two-fold program. It develops strong community leaders and raises money for local organizations.

This year’s graduating class, composed of 36 community leaders from businesses in the community, raised nearly $32,000 for local charities in less than a year’s time.

On Wednesday evening, the graduates gathered at the Hilton Garden Inn in Florence for a graduation ceremony and check presentation for the benefiting charities – Help 4Kids, The Naomi Project and SNAC.

Les Echols, director of community and minority enterprise for the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce, acts as the “principal” for each Leadership Florence class.

He said the 2017 class raised more money than any other class and affected him personally with a simple card during a tough season of life after back-to-back deaths in his family.

“During that time I didn’t smile much and they could see that,” Echols said. “It speaks to the character and comradery of this class that they would go out of their way to do that for me. At that point in my life, that card meant so much to me and it’s amazing to see that kindness in these community leaders.”

Leadership Florence is a nine-month program through the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce, aimed at helping business leaders connect with the private sector, nonprofits, governmental and educational entities by way of hands-on activities, behind-the-scenes tours and deeper looks into this area’s industries, culture and municipal workings.

Monique Maxwell, a representative if Holiday Inn & Suites in Florence and a graduate, said seeing the diversity of business leadership in Florence was a big eye opener.

“We are a privileged group of people to have gone through this program and we all come from different backgrounds,” she said. “Leadership means being mindful of your team members, neighbors and all the random people you come across. You never know what other have gone through to get where they are and now I see that every day in our community.”

Pam Elliott, also a graduate and representative of McLeod Health, said this program showed her a side of the Florence community she’s never seen before.

“It’s truly been an eye-opening experience for me,” Elliott said. “After traveling the world and seeing what other places have to offer, I’ve finally become more involved in what this area has to offer.”

The chamber also has a Junior Leadership program, aimed toward high school sophomores and juniors to enable them to develop leadership skills while increasing awareness of their community.

For more information about Leadership Florence and how to apply for next year’s program, contact the Florence Chamber at 843-665-0515 or visit its website at flochamber.com.

SCNow Web Article – Leadership Florence Class of 2017 graduates

Florence Chamber welcomes seven members to Board of Directors

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Credit: Morning News

FLORENCE, S.C. — The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce announced the addition of seven new member to its Board of Directors.

Each member will serve a three-year term. The new board members are as follows:

Lucinda Fountain of Honda of South Carolina Mfg., Vera Herbert of Carolina Bank, Jill Lewis of Florence Darlington Technical College, Chip Munn of Signature Wealth Strategies, Paul Saunders of First Reliance Bank, Mark Spurling of HopeHeath and Irby Wilson of Orr Company, Inc.

The incoming chairman, the Rev. Merritt Graves, also appointed Chairwoman-elect Mindy Taylor of Duke Energy, and two executive directors: Dr. Charlene Wages of Francis Marion University and Tyron Jones of Florence Darlington Technical College.

Wages was appointed chairman of community and business development and Jones chairman of member services.

The current chairman of the board is Dr. Fred Carter.

SCNow Web Article – Florence Chamber welcomes seven members to Board of Directors

Spa de Vie celebrates opening of new location in Florence

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By: Jessica Imbimbo, Morning News

FLORENCE, S.C. – Spa de Vie Salon and Spa held a ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration Thursday afternoon at its new location at 1330 Celebration Blvd. in Florence.

The salon doubled in square-footage after moving from its former location at 1800 W. Palmetto St. It offers a wide array of salon services and spa treatments. Women, men and children of all ages can enjoy a day of relaxation at Spa de Vie.

The staff of 22 professional stylists and colorists gives clients a fresh new look with fresh cuts, styles and dyes. Spa de Vie also offers extensions and straightening treatments as well as professional makeup application for any special occasion.

The spa portion of the business offers guests massages, facials and waxing, as well as spray tanning, manicures and pedicures. Clients can also purchase spa packages that include couple’s massages, body scrubs and lunch.

Ambassadors with the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce celebrated alongside the staff at Spa de Vie during the grand opening on Thursday and welcomed the business to the chamber. Lindsey Bazen, owner of Spa de Vie, said the salon has been in business since March 2010. For Bazen, the idea of moving locations and having her own salon space has been years in the making.

“I always wanted to have something where I could do it my own way and have the building set up how I want it set up,” Bazen said. “I love it.”

For more information about Spa de Vie or to book an appointment, call 843-669-4333 or visit spadeviesalon.com.

SCNow Web Article – Spa de Vie celebrates opening of new location in Florence

Downtown Florence is giving $50,000 to recruit retail business

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“FLORENCE, SC (WMBF) – The Florence Downtown Development Corporation is kicking off a brand new competition called the Full Forward Downtown Business Contest designed to give existing retail business owners the chance to relocate or expand their business in the Downtown Florence Historical District.

One winning entry will receive a $20,000 cash prize, $30,000 in grant money through the Tenant Up-fit Grant Fund and other assistance with helping get their business started in downtown Florence.

That additional money is around $1,000 in sign and interior design grant money from the city of Florence, and a credit toward the first-year business license.

Bob Sager, the downtown development corporation retail recruiter, said he has looked at models from larger cities.

“It’s not just getting the winner; it’s a marketing tool to try and attract even more attention,” Sager said.

The other applicants can also benefit from the competition. Business owners will have the chance to tap into the $240,000 grant incentive fund that started two years ago to help recruit businesses.

The Full Forward Downtown Business Contest is open to all current retail business owners that have been operating a business for at least 12 months.

“The addition of somebody that isn’t even represented here would be a big plus not just for downtown, but for the whole city,” Sager said.

Liz Andrews, the co-owner of O-Harra-Mellette Interior Design Studio, opened up shop a year ago to be a part of the momentum downtown.

“Downtown Florence is at the spring point of growth, and it would be really an incentive for me, if I didn’t live in the Florence area, to get a little bit of capital up front to get started and get my business going.”

The Full Forward Downtown Florence business competition is something Andrews said will hopefully help recruit business owners to fill the empty storefronts around her business.

“Florence is kind of centrally located in the state. I think it’s a good drawing destination,” she said.

Click here for the full application and qualifications to enter in the competition.”

WMBF Web Article – Downtown Florence is giving $50,000 to recruit retail busines

Expansion project expected to add over 700 jobs in Florence County

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“FLORENCE, S.C. – Another multimillion dollar economic development project is on the horizon in Florence County, this time a $79 million expansion called “Project Horseshoe.”

According to county documents, that development will create more than 700 new jobs.

On Thursday the Florence County Council moved forward with a fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreement with the yet-to-be-named developer, meaning there will be a 6 percent tax on the development rather than the usual 10 percent.

 Though council members remained tight-lipped on details about Project Horseshoe, Chairman Kent Caudle said this is an expansion of a company already operating within the county.

“As always, we’re moving right along,” he said. “We always like to take care of our existing industries.”

Caudle added that construction on the expansion will likely start this year, though dates have not been set by the developer.

This project comes after several major employers announced job-creating expansions of their operations in Florence County in the past year.

Honda of South Carolina announced a $45 million, 115,000-square-foot expansion, and McCall Farms announced a $23 million investment and General Electric announced a $40 million expansion.

 Other business

The council approved a yearly $5 “system fee” increase per vehicle in the county to go toward road maintenance. This raises the fee from $30 per vehicle every year to $35 per vehicle.

Caudle said this fee hasn’t been raised in about 20 years, and an increase was necessary to continue funding rural road work in the county.

“It’s not that we want to raise it, but with the significant amounts of dirt road and drainage issues we’ve had in the last few years, we have to do something,” he said. “Our goal is to improve the roads.”

SCNow Web Article – Expansion project expected to add over 700 jobs in Florence County